Taking accurate Measurements

When measuring any doll for fitting purposes I use the following measurements to attain accurate results. below are a few illustrations of where to measure as well as a detailed explination of each measurement. To download a worksheet outlining the measurements taken to measure your own dolls please click here

The photos below give an idea of where the measurements are taken. The model shown here is Dollstown Estella, the position of measurements would be similar on all body types. You may click any image to see it full size.

The first thing I do when measuring anyone is to tie a pice of string tightly around the thinnest portion of the body at the natural waistline. This gives a distinct point of reference for all the other measurements. Bust The bust measurement is taken around the fullest part of the bustline, across the nipples and around just below the shoulder blades (think where a bra strap would sit) Waist The waist measurement is taken around the thinnest portion of the torso, where the string is tied. Hip The hip measurement is taken at the fullest part of the lower body. Bust to Bust This measurement is taken from the center of one nipple to the center of the other. Shoulder to Bust This measurement is taken from the center of the shoulder down to the tip of the nipple. Bust to Waist This measurement is taken from the center of the nipple down to the string at the waistline. Waist to Hip This measurement is taken from the string at the waistline to the spot where the hip measurement was taken. Front Width This measurement is taken on the front of the body between the two arm joints and across the chest Back width This measurement is taken on the back of the body between the two arm joints across the chest. Inseam This measurement is taken on the inside of the leg down to the lower portion of the ankle joint. arm This measurement is taken with the arm straight to the side of the body from the upper point where the shoulder intersects the arm down to the lower portion of the wrist joint. Waist to Ankle This measurement is taken from the string at the waist down the side of the body to the lower portion of the ankle joint. Bicep This measurement is taken around the fullest part of the upper arm. Wrist This measurement is taken around the fullest part of the wrist ball. Hand Left This measurement is taken around the left hand at the point where the fingers are the widest set apart. Hand Right This measurement is taken around the fullest part of the right hand where the fingers are the widest set apart. Foot Legnth This measurement is taken from the back of the heel to the tip of the furthest extending toe. front waist This measurement is taken on the front of the body, from the neck down to the natural waistline going over the fullest part of the bust. back waist This measurement is taken on the back of the body, from the neck down to the natural waistline. UnderBust This measurement is taken around the body, just below the bust where the bust intersects the ribcage. Neck This measurement is taken around the fullest part of the neck where the collar would sit. (This is where the neck intersects the shoulders) Armhole This measurement is taken around the arm where it intersects the shoulder. The arm should be extened out to the side and the measurement taken around the arm and the ball joint where the arm intersects the body. Ankle This measurement is taken around the ankle at the fullest portion of the ankle. Thigh This measurement is taken around the fullest part of the thigh. knee to ankle This measurement is taken from the side of the leg where the joint intersects down to the lower portion of the ankle. short sleeve This measurement goes from the joint of the shoulder down the arm to the approximate natural position for a short sleeved top. Long Sleeve This measurement goes from the joint of the shoulder down the arm to the approximate natural position for a long sleeved top (just below the wrist joint) 3/4 sleeve This measurement goes from the joint of the shoulder down the arm to approximately 1/2 way down the forearm, where a 3/4 sleeve top would naturally sit. Crotch This measurement goes from the natural waistline in the front around to the natural waistline in the back down between the legs and up around the torso. Foot Width This measurement goes across the widest portion of the foot (typically across the ball of the foot) Cap Sleeve This measurement is from the joint of the shoulder down the arm to approximately just below the opposite side of the ball, or where a cap sleeve would sit naturally. Neck to floor This measurement is taken from where the neck joins the body down the back of the body to where the feet touch the floor. Drop Waist This measurement is taken around the body approximately 1/3 of the way down from the natural waistline. This is where a modern waistline would sit for pants, skirts or for drop waist dresses. Shoulder This measurement is taken from where the neck intersects the shoulder to the edge of the joint where the arm intersects the shoulder. Waist to knee This measurement is taken from the natural waistline where the string is tied down to where the knee joint is formed.

Realm of Resin is a GothChicsBJD production, copyright of gothchicsbjd, all rights reserved.